STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Embattled Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said he has been a victim of media vilification and suggested that he wouldn't need to air TV commercials or do campaign mailers in his re-election bid, according to a story in Politico.

"There's no question: I've been vilified by the press since the day I got here," Grimm told the publication. "From the very beginning they had to figure out how to get rid of this guy."

Grimm told Politico that if he ran into a burning building to save a baby, "you know what the headline will be? 'Grimm starts the fire.' That's just the reality."

But his constituents, he said, "are behind me now more than ever, because I get results."

Asked if he is innocent of the criminal charges in a 20-count federal indictment, Politico said, "Grimm paused for four seconds, then chuckled softly. 'You know, uh. It depends on what you're asking me of,' he said."

He said he would be exonerated of all the charges.

Politico, which trailed Grimm for a day, also said that Grimm marched alone in the Staten Island Memorial Day parade, while Democratic opponent Domenic M. Recchia walked with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other officials, including GOP Borough President James Oddo.

Oddo and Grimm have been on the outs since they were on opposite sides of the 2013 Mid-Island City Council primary.

Grimm told Politico he "screwed up" when he threatened NY1 reporter Michael Scotto, but said it reflected his frustration with the press.

Politico said Grimm "flashed anger" when asked about his image as the "bad boy" of Congress.

"No. You're wrong," he said. "That's the Washington image, because you're in a bubble." He said that being aggressive on behalf of Staten Island was part of his job.

Grimm also told Politico that he was prepared to go ahead with his campaign with or without the support of GOP leaders like House Speaker John Boehner, saying that support in Washington was "a luxury. It isn't a necessity."

Grimm also said that he'd stopped fundraising for his campaign and wouldn't start again until June.

He also suggested that he wouldn't need to air TV ads or send mailers to voters and that there would be "much more constituent interaction" and retail politicking in his re-election bid.

Politico also reported that Grimm at various stops "was mobbed by supporters who assured him they were still behind him."

When asked by the Advance to comment on the Politico article, Grimm said, "As my constituents know firsthand, I'm dedicated to fighting for them every day just as I have since day one."

He said, "My meetings throughout the district yesterday clearly demonstrated the single most important factor relevant to my campaign - that my constituents know I have their backs and that I will go to the mat for them each and every time. I've been overwhelmed by the constant outpouring of support from the hardworking people I'm proud to represent."

Grimm added, "Whether it's the Great Kills residents enjoying the recently restored Nichols Marina, the grassroots Sandy recovery groups in Midland Beach, or the Staten Island veteran who my office helped get his life back and restore his dignity when everyone else said it was impossible ...the support is widespread and stronger than ever."